Lester Earl “Les” Stewart, Jr., 92, passed away on July 4, 2025, at Azria Health Woodhaven, Great Bend, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on Jan. 31, 1933, in Emerson, Iowa, to Lester Sr. and Thelma (Jacks) Stewart. Les married Mary Lou Schneweis at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Beaver, Kan., on Oct. 1, 1960. Mary Lou survives.

Les graduated from Great Bend High School, after serving four years in the United States Air Force (Army Air Corp) during the Korean War from 1950-1954, earning the rank of Airman First Class. He was then afforded the opportunity to attend Kansas State University on the G.I. Bill. Eager to hit the working world, Les was soon employed for many years by the Central Kansas Electric COOP, then sold chemical for several oil companies. At this time, he taught himself to shoot fluid levels on gas and oil wells.  After retirement, he formed his own company, Stew’s Fluid Levels.

Les, being a man of commitment and faith, was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, where he had served as Congregation Chairman, Stewardship Board Chairman, Endowment Committee member, Memorial Committee member and Operation team member. Civically, Les was past president of the Lincoln School PTA, Blue Birds leader, Confederate Air Force member, and a proud charter member and past president of the Great Bend Optimist Club. Any spare time that Les had, he could be found playing golf, flying, fishing or doing yardwork.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Lou; four daughters, Lisa Richardson and husband Bill of Great Bend, Mona Schaffer of Sarasota, Fla., Julie Lipari and husband Nino of Oak Grove, Mo., and Cindy Damm and husband Jeff of Great Bend; three sisters, Norma Tobeck and husband Gary of Newhall, Calif., Sharon Rolo and husband Art of Plainville, Kan., and Patty Smith and husband Al of Great Bend; eight grandchildren, Shalane Krueger, Jaclyn Schaffer, Alexandria Green and husband Nate, Nicole Fowler and husband Ryan, Mary Smith and husband Hayden, Ronan Lipari, Brad Damm and wife Crystal, and Allison Myrick and husband Jeremy; and 13 great grandchildren. Les was preceded in passing by his parents and stepmother, Alma (Maier) Stewart; son-in-law, Bill Crusan; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday July 9, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Jay Welshonse presiding. Interment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery with military honors conducted by the McConnell Air Force Honor Guard. Memorials have been designated to Trinity Lutheran Church, Gentiva Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 8, 2025